How far is Cornelius, NC from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance from Cornelius, NC to Raleigh, NC is about 165.3 miles (266 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 126.3 miles (203.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 35m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Greensboro metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cornelius and Raleigh.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cornelius and Raleigh.
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1
Start on Legion Street
131 m · 21 sec · Legion Street
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2
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.6 km · 2 min · North Main Street
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3
Continue on Old Statesville Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Old Statesville Road
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4
Turn left onto Mayes Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · Mayes Road
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5
Turn right onto Sam Furr Road
51 m · 30 sec · Sam Furr Road
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6
Continue on Sam Furr Road
2.8 mi · 4 min · Sam Furr Road
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7
Continue on Davidson Highway
6.2 mi · 9 min · Davidson Highway
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8
Take the ramp straight toward I 85 North: Salisbury
1360 ft · 33 sec
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9
Merge slight left
31.5 mi · 35 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Greensboro, High Point
32.8 mi · 35 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on US 29, US 70
5.9 mi · 7 min
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12
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 43 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 40 East: Raleigh
30.3 mi · 35 min
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Wade Avenue
3.9 mi · 5 min · Wade Avenue
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15
Turn right onto Faircloth Street
2810 ft · 1 min · Faircloth Street
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16
Continue on Gorman Street
3220 ft · 1 min · Gorman Street
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17
Turn left onto Western Boulevard
2.5 mi · 5 min · Western Boulevard
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18
Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
2789 ft · 1 min · Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
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19
Turn left onto South Wilmington Street
1048 ft · 43 sec · South Wilmington Street
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20
Turn left onto East South Street
7 m · 1 sec · East South Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East South Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cornelius and Raleigh.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 29
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 00h 43m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Cornelius and Sunny near Raleigh.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cornelius to Raleigh?
The road trip is about 165.3 miles (266 km) and usually takes 02h 35m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Greensboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.7 miles from Cornelius and 85.6 miles from Raleigh.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 126.3 miles (203.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 39 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:20 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.09 one way or $46.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cornelius and Sunny near Raleigh.
Stop Ideas Near Greensboro
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Greensboro.
J. Douglas Galyon Depot
High Point
Burlington
Winston-Salem State Univ, Winston-Salem, North Car
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cornelius and Raleigh. Straight-line distance: 126.3 mi (203.26 km).
#1 Cornelius
City in North Carolina, United States
| Population | 30,804 |
| Coordinates | 35.4868000, -80.8600700 |
| Altitude | 245 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Raleigh
The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is a major center for business, government, and education.
| Population | 474,414 |
| Coordinates | 35.7721000, -78.6386100 |
| Altitude | 96 |
| Country | United States |
End: East South Street (-78.638606, 35.772148)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 266 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $23.09 | $46.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $25.82 | $51.64 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $27.86 | $55.71 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $32.79 | $65.58 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in North Carolina · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.